LOGINIrene's POVMidnight came slowly.I waited in the shadows beyond the camp perimeter. Watching the guard rotations with careful attention. Counting the minutes between patrols. Learning their patterns. Memorizing every detail.The Dark Hollows guards were thorough. Professional. Disciplined in a way that spoke of Ken's rigorous training. They moved in pairs, checking every corner, every shadow, every possible approach to the camp. Ken had trained them well. Too well, maybe.But even the best guards had gaps in their coverage. Moments when attention shifted. When backs were turned. When the night stretched long enough that focus slipped just slightly.Those were the moments I needed.I watched for them. Waited for them with the patience of a hunter.The eastern patrol passed my position. Headed toward the supply warehouses on the far side of camp. The western patrol was still checking the far perimeter, their torches visible as distant points of light. There was a window—maybe three min
Irene's POVThe training session was winding down.I watched from my hiding spot in the bushes at the camp's edge. The concealment cloak wrapped tight around me, masking my scent, blurring my presence into the shadows.Karson called an end to the drills. His voice was hoarse. Rough from hours of shouting commands. The warriors dispersed, heading toward their quarters. Exhausted. Bruised. But alive.He stood alone in the training grounds for a moment. His shoulders were tense. His head bowed. Like the weight of everything was crushing down on him.Then two small figures appeared.Carl and Karin.They ran toward him across the dirt. Their silver-streaked hair catching the fading sunlight. Their faces lighting up despite everything."Daddy!"Karson's expression shifted. The hardness melting away. Replaced by something softer. Something that made my chest ache.He crouched down to their level. Both children crashed into him at once, small arms wrapping around his neck.He caught them. Hel
Irene's POVThe Pack grounds came into view just as the sun began to set.I stopped at the tree line. Hidden in shadow. The concealment cloak wrapped tight around me.Everything looked different.Guard towers that hadn't existed befo
Irene's POVI woke to find the old woman packing supplies into a worn leather bag.My heart jumped. "What are you doing?""Preparing for your departure." She didn't look up from her work. "Your ribs have healed. The burns are closed. Your strength has returned. There's no reason to keep you here any longer."
Irene's POVThe old woman moved like water.Fluid. Effortless. Despite her age and weathered appearance, she demonstrated the combat technique with a grace that took my breath away."You're telegraphing your strikes," she said, circling me in the small clearing outside the cave. "Your shoulders tense before you move. Any experienced fighter will see it coming."
Irene's POVThe days blurred together in the cave.Wake. Eat the bland porridge the old woman made. Drink bitter herbal tea. Sleep. Repeat.Slowly, painfully, my body knitted itself back together.The burns on my back stopped weeping
KARSON"Karson, what's wrong?" Irene continued to ask and I'd lost count of how many times now.I walked on, leading us back to the car and sending a mindlink to the guards to leave at once. I opened her door but she stood far away, watching me with confused eyes."Get in.""Why are you acting like this
KARSONIn five years, I could count how many times I've had a good night's sleep and it was all thanks to the woman whose head was resting on my chest and her small frame glued to my body. She was the reason for the sleepless nights and my sleep-filled nights. She was a terror and a dream for me at t
KARSONFuck!I slammed the car door shut and stormed into the house, fuming in annoyance with an angry cloud over my head.The look in Irene's eyes haunted me throughout the drive back to my pack and I hated every minute of it.Yes, I deserved that. I deserved her suspicions and her raised brow but what
IRENEBy the time I got home, I had no tears left to cry. My anger had dissipated and all that was left was a deep hole of nothingness and numbness in my heart.I recalled the situation back then and I slid to the floor against the door, threading my hands in my hair as I stared hard on the floor.Fuck







